France Advances Social Media Ban for Under-15s
A joint committee of French lawmakers has approved a compromise bill that would prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media, moving France closer to introducing one of Europe’s strictest online age restrictions.
France Social Media Ban
The legislation would prevent children younger than 15 from using major social networks, potentially covering platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube. Educational services, online encyclopaedias and certain open-source platforms would be exempt.
The compromise was reached by a parliamentary reconciliation committee after the National Assembly and Senate approved different versions of the proposal. The bill must still receive final approval from both chambers before becoming law.
President Emmanuel Macron has strongly supported the measure and wants it implemented around the beginning of the new school year in September.
Age Verification for Children
Effective enforcement would require social media companies to verify users’ ages. The precise verification system has not yet been finalised, but it must comply with European Union privacy and digital-services regulations.
France previously adopted legislation requiring parental consent for users under 15, but implementation encountered difficulties because of conflicts with EU rules. The latest bill was revised to align more closely with the EU Digital Services Act.
The legislation also proposes extending restrictions on mobile-phone use to French high schools.
Protecting Children on Social Media
Supporters say the ban is needed to address cyberbullying, excessive screen time, disrupted sleep and exposure to harmful material. French health authorities have also raised concerns about social media’s potential effects on adolescent self-esteem and mental health.
Critics have questioned whether a blanket prohibition can be enforced effectively and warned that age-verification systems could create privacy risks.
If enacted, France would follow Australia, which introduced a social media ban for users under 16. Several other countries are considering comparable restrictions.
